U.S. and China:Â China’s foreign minister this morning warned that the U.S. and China are headed for confrontation and conflict. Foreign Minister Qin Gang said the U.S. needs to change its attitude and action and stop trying to suppress and contain China. He identified the U.S. shooting down of the Chinese spy balloon and its ongoing support for the independence of Taiwan as two examples of what the U.S. has been doing that China finds troubling.
Fake accounts:Â The Associated Press reported this morning that an Israeli technology firm has discovered that thousands of automated fake Twitter accounts have been created that are pumping out steady streams of material that promote Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential bid while blasting his opponents Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Hailey. The automated messaging also goes after Trump critics such as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who the messages call a traitor. The person or people responsible for the automated fake accounts was not determined.
Georgia’s legal system:Â Republicans in the Georgia State Legislature have passed legislation that would allow a political takeover of the state’s legal system by ending the independence of prosecutors, including county district attorneys. A final version of the legislation is expected to be ready for Republican Governor Brian Kemp to sign into law in a couple of weeks. It would allow prosecutors, such as the Fulton County district attorney who is investigating Republican Donald Trump, to be fired, thus shutting down investigations or prosecutions that politicians in power in the state do not like.
Israeli demonstrations:Â Members of Israeli’s military have joined with civilians in demonstrations against the effort by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take over the country’ court system. Netanyahu is facing corruption charges and by ending the independence of the country’s court system could block prosecution.
Medicare solvency:Â The White House this morning revealed a plan to keep Medicare solvent by increasing the Medicare tax rate on households earning more than $400,000 a year. The current rate for high-earners is 3.8% and the increase would take it up to 5%. The White House says the tax increase would keep Medicare solvent for at least the next 25 years.
Kidnappings: Mexican authorities reported this morning that two of the four Americans who were kidnapped a few days ago have been found dead. A third was found injured while the fourth was unharmed. The four Americans were kidnapped after entering Mexico from Brownsville, Texas. It’s believed they were from South Carolina and a woman in the group intended to have cosmetic surgery in Mexico. It’s believed members of a Mexican drug cartel mistook the four for members of a rival drug ring.
